wane over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wane over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual decrease or decline in intensity, strength, or importance as time progresses. Example: "As the years went by, her enthusiasm for the project began to wane over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But unless they have skin in the game, their passion may wane over time.

Forbes

This effect may wane over time as workers become complacent with attention to protocol details.

BMC Health Services Research

Possible explanations for this could be that stressful war experiences retain their potency irrespective of the severity of childhood adversity, whose effects may wane over time.

BMC Psychiatry

While it has been shown that immediate advances can correlate with long term progress [ 26], it is possible that there was an immediate surge in hand hygiene adherence that may wane over time.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

Either that, or look ahead and don't sign up for channels where householder interest may wane over time.

WikiHow

Expect grief to wax and wane over time.

Harvard University

The fact is, protection provided by vaccinations tends to wane over time.

Harvard University

These growths often are small and don't cause symptoms; they may wax and wane over time.

The Washington Post

Cue-induced reinstatement of food-seeking behaviour can wane over time.

Nature

Most people are considered vulnerable to a smallpox attack because immunity is thought to wane over time.

The New York Times

Even children who are fully vaccinated for whooping cough before kindergarten see their immunity wane over time, and that has also been a factor in the Marin outbreak.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing trends, use "wane over time" to illustrate the diminishing impact or effectiveness of something as time progresses. This emphasizes the temporal aspect of the decline.

Common error

Avoid attributing the waning effect solely to time itself. Ensure to clarify the underlying reasons why something may "wane over time", such as changing conditions, lack of maintenance, or external factors. Don't just say 'it waned', explain why it waned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wane over time" functions as a verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase, indicating a process of gradual decline or decrease in intensity, strength, or importance as time progresses. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wane over time" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to describe the gradual decline or decrease of something's intensity, strength, or importance as time passes. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. Its prevalence across diverse sources, including scientific journals, news outlets, and academic publications, indicates its versatility and broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the reasons behind the waning effect to provide a comprehensive and insightful explanation. Related phrases such as "diminish gradually" and "fade with time" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose intensity gradually

Directly addresses the diminishing of strength or force.

diminish gradually

Focuses on the gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

fade with time

Emphasizes the loss of clarity or vibrancy as time progresses.

weaken progressively

Focuses on the reduction of strength or power over time.

decline steadily

Highlights a continuous and consistent decrease or deterioration.

decrease progressively

Indicates a step-by-step reduction or weakening.

ebb away

Suggests a flowing back or receding, similar to the tide.

attenuate gradually

Highlights the reduction in force, effect, or value.

peter out

Implies a gradual dwindling to nothing.

taper off

Describes a reduction in thickness or intensity at one end.

FAQs

How can I use "wane over time" in a sentence?

You can use "wane over time" to describe a gradual decrease or decline. For example, "The initial enthusiasm for the project began to "wane over time" as challenges increased".

What are some alternatives to saying "wane over time"?

Alternatives include "diminish gradually", "fade with time", or "decline steadily". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "wane over time" or "decrease over time"?

"Wane over time" often suggests a more natural or gradual decline, whereas "decrease over time" is a more general term for reduction. Use "wane" when the decline feels like a natural process or a loss of intensity.

Can "wane over time" be used in a positive context?

While "wane over time" typically describes a negative decline, it can be neutral depending on the subject. For example, "The acute symptoms of the illness "wane over time", indicating recovery".